Nagaland Governor bats for ‘enhanced autonomy’ to North Eastern Council

DIMAPUR — Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan on Friday urged the North Eastern Council (NEC) to collaborate with the respective state governments in formulating policies that encourage industrialisation, with focus on sustainability and inclusivity.

Recognising the crucial role played by NEC in the development of the region, the governor said that it should advocate for enhanced autonomy, especially concerning the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) with a focus on roads.

Strengthening the decision-making powers of NEC will undoubtedly expedite the implementation of vital infrastructure projects, he added.

Ganesan was speaking at the 71st plenary session of the NEC held at State Convention Centre, Shillong, stated an update from Raj Bhavan, Kohima.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang along with other senior state government officials also attended the event.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is also the chairman of the NEC, was the chief guest of the event, which also saw attendance of DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy, MoS BL Verma, officials from MDoNER, NITI Aayog, NEC, governors and chief ministers of NE states.

The governor also called upon the NEC to consider an enhanced allocation under the 60% state component, saying this additional support will enable implementation of projects that address the specific needs of communities, contributing to the overall progress of the north-eastern region.

He went on to state that 10% Gross Budget Support (GBS) Fund is a crucial lifeline for the development initiatives in the region, while emphasising the need for effective utilisation of this fund to catalyse growth and bridge developmental gaps.

Stating that agriculture remains the backbone of the country’s economy, Ganesan called for elevating the socio-economic status of the rural communities through implementation of modern farming techniques, providing access to credit facilities, promoting agro-processing units and agri-tourism sector.

He said that Nagaland has successfully integrated agriculture with tourism, providing visitors with an immersive experience of the traditional farming practices, local cuisine and indigenous festivals.

He also cited the success of Hornbill Festival, which has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of tourists over the years, proving that the tourism industry in the state is steadily growing.

Ganesan further informed that the Nagaland has invested significantly in skill development programmes, ensuring that the youth are equipped with the tools they need to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.

DPR for foothill road submitted to MoRTH, says Rio

Rio, who also attended the NEC plenary session, informed that the government of Nagaland is pursuing to set up an airport at Ciethu, Kohima, for better connectivity.

In addition, the DPR for the construction of the Foothill Road or the Trans-Nagaland State Highway has been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for approval, he wrote on X.

“We are also pursuing setting up an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Nagaland. We have requested the Centre to consider converting the Medical College at Kohima into a central institute like AIIMS or a regional institute like RIMS.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the shared vision of a prosperous and harmonious North East by working collaboratively and leveraging the unique strengths of each State,” Rio wrote.

Also read: Northeast witnessed immense development in last 10 years: Amit Shah